New Delhi, Apr 14: Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, the international community is issuing a resounding call for restraint to prevent further escalation and foster diplomatic solutions.
In line with the calls for restraint, peace, and ceasefire echoed by various nations and international bodies, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said that it provided advanced notification of its retaliatory strikes on Israel to its neighbouring countries.
“Approximately 72 hours before initiating our operations, we communicated to our regional allies that Iran’s response against Israel was inevitable, justified, and final,” he said. Amirabdollahian said that Iran conveyed to the United States during a meeting with foreign ambassadors that its attacks on Israel would be “limited” and solely for self-defence purposes.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry has expressed concern over the “military escalation” in the region and has called for restraint from all parties to avoid the “dangers of wars”.
The ministry has warned of “serious consequences” if the conflict expands further.
The Pakistan Foreign Office reiterated its long-standing stance, emphasising the urgent need for international efforts to curb the escalation of hostilities in the region and achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
Referring to its previous statement, Pakistan highlighted the significant risk posed by the attack on an Iranian consular office in Syria, labelling it as a dangerous escalation in an already volatile area.
Commenting on the latest developments, the Foreign Office underscored the consequences of diplomatic breakdowns, emphasising the grave implications when the UN Security Council fails to uphold its responsibilities in maintaining global peace and security.
Urging immediate action to stabilise the situation and restore peace, Pakistan called upon all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint and work towards de-escalation.
UAE
In a statement, the United Arab Emirates urged the utmost restraint to avert perilous consequences in the Middle East.
Additionally, the UAE emphasised the importance of resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic means.
EGYPT
Cairo’s foreign ministry conveyed its “deep concern” regarding the escalation of hostilities and advocated for “maximum restraint”.
Additionally, the ministry’s statement cautioned against the potential regional escalation of the conflict and affirmed Egypt’s commitment to engage directly with all involved parties to mitigate the situation.
US
The US President had a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the attack.
On Saturday, the US president, following the conclusion of his meeting with national security advisers, had a two-hour briefing in the White House, President Biden vows to prioritise safeguarding Israel’s security.
Biden’s constant communication with Israeli officials and allies stressed the administration’s unwavering support for Israel’s security.
RUSSIA
Russia issued a call for all parties involved to exercise restraint.
The Russian foreign ministry expressed concern over the potential for further escalation and emphasized the importance of resolving conflicts through political and diplomatic channels.
Moscow reiterated its longstanding position that regional states should seek peaceful solutions to existing issues.
Additionally, Russia highlighted its past warnings about the limitations of the UN Security Council in effectively addressing incidents such as the recent strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria, which resulted in casualties, including high-ranking officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The statement follows the rejection by the United States, Britain, and France of a proposed UN Security Council statement drafted by Russia.
The proposed statement aimed to condemn the attack on Iran’s embassy compound in Syria.
CHINA
China’s foreign ministry emphasised the importance of restraint, framing the attack as “the latest spillover of the Gaza conflict”.
It urged the implementation of a recent UN Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, asserting that the conflict must come to an immediate end.
Furthermore, China called upon the international community, particularly influential nations, to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the region.
EUROPEAN UNION
In a statement on X, the European Union’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, characterized the strikes as “an unprecedented escalation and a serious threat to regional security.”
UN
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern over the imminent risk of a widespread escalation across the region.
In a statement, he vehemently denounced the significant escalation sparked by the extensive attack launched on Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Guterres called for an immediate halt to these hostilities and emphasised the imperative for all parties to exercise utmost restraint to prevent any actions that may precipitate large-scale military confrontations across various fronts in the Middle East.
He reiterated his firm stance that neither the region nor the global community can afford the devastating consequences of another war.
FRANCE
France’s Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne criticised Iran’s assault on Israel.
Via a post on the X platform, he said, “Iran’s choice of such unprecedented aggression marks a dangerous escalation in destabilising acts, risking further military tensions.”
Sejourne also reassured Israel of Paris’s unwavering commitment to its security.
GERMANY
Germany denounces the Iranian attacks, expressing the utmost condemnation and warning Tehran of the peril of sparking a full-scale regional conflict, according to a spokesperson for Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
“With this reckless and unjustified assault, Iran is jeopardising the stability of the entire region. Germany reaffirms its steadfast support for Israel,” the spokesperson said.
CANADA
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa that his country “unequivocally condemns Iran’s airborne attacks”, and said: “We stand with Israel.” “After supporting Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack, the Iranian regime’s latest actions will further destabilise the region and make lasting peace more difficult.”
SPAIN
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged restraint, expressing deep concern about the evolving situation in the Middle East.
Speaking on X, he emphasised the critical need to prevent any escalation in the region at all costs.
VATICAN
Head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis issued a “pressing appeal” against a “spiral of violence”, expressing deep concern over the escalating tensions.
“I fervently urge an end to any actions that could perpetuate a cycle of violence, risking further conflict in the Middle East,” declared the pontiff from Argentina.
He expressed his prayers and distress regarding the deteriorating situation in Israel due to Iran’s involvement.
The Pope emphasised the importance of respecting the existence of all individuals and urged all nations to prioritise peace, advocating for Israelis and Palestinians to coexist peacefully in two secure states.
He affirmed this as their rightful aspiration,